Welcome to the Windsor Whisky Cocktail Challenge, Last Call to Vote.
Each of the 11 entering bartenders have created two cocktails for their entries into the Windsor Whisky Cocktail Challenge—one created with Windsor Canadian Whisky and one using Windsor Black Cherry Whisky.
We asked participating bartenders to share what inspired their cocktails using Windsor Whisky, known for its adventurous mantras— #drinksforthewild and #enjoyitoutthere.
If you have not already voted, this is your last chance to vote for your favorite. Your vote can help a fellow bartender win cash prizes!
Vote Now!
Tovah Mandernach
Pink Beach Sky
The colors and flavors of this cocktail reminded me of sitting on the beach at sunset on one of my favorite beaches in Florida. Toes in the sand, relaxing, listening to the ocean waves crashing on the shore.
Chococherry Popper
I wanted to create a pretty drink for camping mornings. I always wake up after a day and night on the lake feeling sore, sunburnt, and a little hungover. And I crave something fresh like a smoothie. So, this is my take on that.
Kristopher Taylor
Spruce Sprigsteen
I’ve never been a big camping person or wanting to go out into the woods. When I was in boarding school it was almost a given, I’d be out in the woods. which to me being a city kid from Atlanta felt like I was being punished. We would play a game called manhunt and capture the flag. All I could remember and still do is the taste of leaves, and pine and just the smell nature as a whole. I was running and tried to hide by scaling a tree. I fell off the tree and into dirt, rocks, leaves and whatnot. I was 12 so I wasn’t upset that I was hurt but thrilled that I could experience something new. I’m mean yes, there’s woods in Atlanta I just wasn’t into it. Spruce tips give this sort of piney, citrusy flavor but the aroma brings in the thought a campfire surrounded by a fresh nature at its core after a harsh winter. Good part was it made me want to understand nature and the woods. Bad part is I also fell onto an underground hornet’s nest. So, nature tastes great sometimes doesn’t feel great.
Cherry Sprung Her
When I was younger my mom would take me out to go cherry and strawberry picking over the summer. She would entice me to go because I didn’t like cherries as a child But knew I’d get strawberries. She tried everything to get me to try different foods and to this day I’m one of the pickiest eaters on the planet. One day we did a picnic in Centennial Olympic Park, and she made chocolate strawberries for me getting into boarding school and to reward me for making that achievement. What I didn’t know was that she snuck chocolate covered cherries into the basket. I devoured the entire thing. Ever since then I still don’t like cherries, but I look back to fruit picking with her and even at that time consider the possibilities of how food can change. Whether texture, bitter, sweet, or just mouthfeel. So, I wanted to create a drink that uses different flavors that bring out the cherry but is also harmonious.
Corrie Kennedy
Sitting on the Dock of the Bay
I work at a Brazilian steakhouse and want to come up with a tropical version of an old fashioned. Working with all the tropical flavors and ambiance at my restaurant has me longing for warm sand beaches and all the tropical goodness that comes with them.
Black Magic Woman
This cocktail takes me back to trips to Grandma’s house. She made the best Black Forest Cake! I would play outside in the backyard while Grandma baked in the house. After playing all day I would come in for a slice and a nice visit. Black cherry and chocolate are always really good together, so I figured, why not make it into a cocktail that brings back those childhood memories!
Terry Hopfensperger
Apple Tease
Not much of a story for this, other than it took many hours and a lot of tasting for the competition.
Orange Cherry
This was actually a mistake by one of our bartenders, she was making my drink, I was drinking vodka and OJ, so there was a ounce or so of OJ left in my glass, she put black cherry and 7 up and cherry juice and garnished it with an orange.
Grant Mohwinkel
Whiskey Meet Mezcal
MN winters are a blast but they’re also extremely cold! Whiskey helps! Warm up to an ice fishing hole with a simple yet exquisite cocktail! Windsor is the backbone to this cocktail…Windsor’s wonderful rich and fruity notes play so well with the smoky, bitter, and citrus notes from the mezcal and Amaro. Stir one of these beauties up and start sipping!! Before you know it you’ll be all warm and fuzzy even in the coldest of Minnesota winters!
Black Cherry Smoke
I picture warming up around a fire with this cocktail after a long MN winter day on the lake. After spending all day ice fishing in the tundra, the perfect night cap is this simple yet elegant sipper. The black cherry Windsor is the star of this cocktail and mingles effortlessly with the Smokey and fruity bitter notes of the scotch and vermouth. Put your feet up and relax with this well-balanced night capper!
Vincent Donohue
Boreal Manhattan
I love spending time outdoors in the Minnesota winters, seeing the evergreens covered in snow.
Black Cherry Mule
I wanted to create a cocktail that could be easily shared while spending time outdoors with friends. No fancy barware required, just glasses and ice.
Jennifer Benz
The Windsor Paloma
After a long day in the sun, sitting by the fire you need a great refreshment. Nothing too heavy …easy to mix and to relax with each sip! Makes me appreciate spending time outdoors!
Windsor Cherry Sunshine
I’ve spent many a day at the beach or on the river islands with friends. We always want an easy, refreshing cocktail! Cherry Sunshine has been a favorite! Sunshine, the water, and Windsor!
Geoffrey Trelstad
Horse’s Neck Sour
Fishing with the boys in the boundary waters. when you are out in the boat you bring the most minimal cocktail supplies what’s better than Windsor, angostura bitters and lemon? nothing!
North Shore Fizz
After a long day of hiking on grouse mountain just outside Vancouver B.C. do as the locals do and enjoy a cocktail. the altitude of 4000 plus feet makes for great inspiration thus the north shore fizz named after the north shore mountain range. cheers ehh!!!
PJ Ford
Delta Sun
Driving south to Florida my friends and I stopped in Atlanta to stretch our legs. We took a stroll through a local park chewing on peach rings and soaked in some summer sun. We swung on swings, people watched, and found ourselves in a state of slap happiness, giggling, smiling, and genuinely enjoying our silhouetted company. We talked so fondly of this road stop after the trip even more so than the beaches of Florida.
Lily Toss
I stayed with a family in the French countryside who adopted a 12-year-old girl from Vietnam. Her, a native Vietnamese speaker and only just learning French, and me, an American who only speaks English, couldn’t speak to each other. Though we were over a decade apart in age and continents apart in life experience we became fast friends. She would climb the cherry tree in the front of the house and shake the tree branches. I’d run around with a bowl trying to catch as many cherries as i could. This cocktail reflects us walking the countryside eating freshly picked cherries not sharing a word with one another but sharing a memory instead.
Jessica Gramlick
True North
Wanted to participate in the contest but wanted something that everyone could try.
BC Limeade
Simple and delicious for everyone!
Jeff Oseby
Windpipe
Inspired by camping.
Sailing
Inspired by sailing.
The post Last Call! 11 Bartenders are Counting on Your Vote. Vote Here! appeared first on Chilled Magazine.
Source: Mixology News
